Phu Quoc Beyond the Resort: Sao Beach, a Pepper Farm Visit and Snorkeling in the An Thoi Islands
Photos in this guide are AI-generated images of fictional POPORO CITY characters, made to illustrate the places; they are not real travel photos. Opening hours, prices and transport details change, so please check official sources before you go.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, is often booked as a resort stay, but the island is big enough to explore. Our Phu Quoc travel guide covers the Hon Thom cable car and island hopping basics. This spin-off zooms in on three experiences: a slow beach day at Sao Beach, a visit to one of the island's pepper farms, and a snorkeling trip among the An Thoi islands off the southern tip.
1. Sao Beach
What it is: Sao Beach (Bãi Sao) on the island's southeast coast is known for very fine white sand, calm shallow water and palm trees leaning over the shore. It is a classic "do nothing" beach: rent a lounger from one of the beach restaurants, swim, read, and have grilled seafood for lunch.
Getting there: it is in the south of the island, roughly half an hour or more by taxi or ride-hailing car from the Duong Dong area, and closer to An Thoi and the cable car station, so it pairs well with a southern day.
Best time: the dry season, roughly November to April, when the sea on this side is usually calmest and clearest. Mornings are quieter before day-trip groups arrive.
Tips: loungers are often free if you order food or drinks; ask first. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and drinking water, and keep valuables with you. Some sections of the beach have more development than others, so walk a little to find a quiet spot.
2. A pepper farm visit
What it is: Phu Quoc is famous in Vietnam for its black pepper, grown on tall vines trained up wooden or concrete poles. Several family farms welcome visitors to walk between the rows, see how the green berries are picked and dried, and taste or buy pepper, sometimes in surprising forms such as fresh green peppercorns or pepper candy. It is a short, low-key stop that shows the island's farming side.
Getting there: pepper farms are spread across the island, many in the north and center, a short drive from the main town. They are often included in island tours, or you can take a taxi and combine one with a fish-sauce workshop or a night market visit.
Best time: daytime, any day; the harvest is traditionally in the first months of the year, when you may see berries drying on mats.
Tips: entry is usually free and there is no pressure to buy, but prices for pepper vary, so compare with markets if you plan to shop. Check your home country's customs rules for bringing back food products. Note that the island's famous fish sauce is generally not allowed in airplane cabins and is restricted by many airlines, so ask before buying.
3. Snorkeling in the An Thoi islands
What it is: off Phu Quoc's southern tip lies the An Thoi archipelago, a chain of small islands with clear water and coral areas. Half-day and full-day boat trips stop at two or three spots for snorkeling, sometimes with lunch on board and a beach stop on an island such as May Rut or Gam Ghi. The Hon Thom cable car crosses over part of the same group of islands.
Getting there: trips usually leave from An Thoi port in the south; most operators include hotel pickup. Some combine snorkeling with the cable car or a visit to a fishing village.
Best time: the dry season, when visibility is usually best and seas are calmer. Boats may be cancelled on windy days, so do not book it on your last day.
Tips: choose an operator that provides life jackets and checks swimmers' level; a rash guard protects against sun and jellyfish. Do not stand on or touch coral. If you get seasick, take medicine before departure and sit near the back of the boat.
Putting it together
- Southern day: snorkeling trip in the morning, Sao Beach in the afternoon, or the cable car instead of the boat.
- Northern and central half day: a pepper farm with other local stops, then sunset on the west coast and a night market dinner.
- Entry rules: Phu Quoc has had special visa-free arrangements for direct international arrivals; rules change, so check official Vietnamese sources before you fly.
- Getting around: ride-hailing apps and taxis work well; scooters are only for experienced riders with a valid license.
Our fictional POPORO CITY characters show the mood: Mave reading in the palm shade, Theo, a cafe-owner character, breathing in the smell of fresh peppercorns, and Tess ready to jump into the turquoise water. For the full island plan, go back to the main Phu Quoc guide.
More travel planning: POPORO BLOG. Our characters also share Korean-language trip notes on the KPOPORO Naver blog.